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BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II)


Unmanned Target Drone [ 1997 ]



The BAe QF-4 became a full-scale, reusable target drone for the USAF and USN based on the Vietnam War-era McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 05/21/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
The QF-4 represents a full-size unmanned target drone version of the successful Cold War-era F-4 Phantom II aircraft. QF-4's are operated by the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron (itself under the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group of the 53rd Wing of Elgin AFB, Florida) out of Tyndall Air Force Base. Drones are utilized for a variety of reasons with these QF-4's mounting various countermeasures to research a bevy of weapons and tactical maneuvers.

The QF-4 drone was put into operational service in 1997 as converted F-4 Phantom II models. It is a remote-controlled aerial target that has the benefit of being reusable. Remote controlling is handled by either a pilot at a nearby ground control station or can be fully under computer control via the Gulf Range Drone Control System. Either way, a chase plan is utilized during the exercises as a precaution. Other precautionary measures include the use of internally-held explosives aboard the QF-4. Should the system become unstable or unresponsive, ground forces have the ability to directly destroy the runaway unit if need be. Exercises are only accomplished over water sources deemed available to drone programs in the United States.

QF-4 drones are essentially full-working modified models of their F-4 forefathers. Modifications of the original McDonnell aircraft were handled by BAE Systems at the cost of $2.6 million per system conversion. The airframe has retained all visible similarities to the former and internal systems such as the General Electric turbojet engines (with reheat capability) are all accounted for. Performance specs include a top speed of Mach 2, a range of 1,300 miles and a service ceiling of 60,000 feet.

The QF-4 succeeded the QF-106 (based on USAF F-106 aircraft) in the USAF drone inventory. Some 86 total QF-4 drones were known to be in service as of this writing (2008). 250 total QF-4 target drones were registered as shot down as of 2013.

The QF-4 line has since been succeeded by the QF-16 which is a target drone variant of the popular and successful Lockheed Martin / General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (2015). Formal replacement of QF-4 drones is expected during 2015.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Service Year
1997

Origin
United States national flag graphic
United States

Status
ACTIVE
In Limited Service.
Crew
0
UNMANNED
Production
250
UNITS


BAe Systems / McDonnell Aircraft Corporation - USA
(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of the United States United States
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.


Length
30.2 ft
(9.20 m)
Width/Span
38.4 ft
(11.70 m)
Height
16.4 ft
(5.00 m)
Empty Wgt
41,502 lb
(18,825 kg)
MTOW
61,796 lb
(28,030 kg)
Wgt Diff
+20,294 lb
(+9,205 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the BAe QF-4 production variant)
Installed: 2 x General Electric J79 turbojet engines developing 17,845 lb thrust with afterburner.
Max Speed
1,599 mph
(2,574 kph | 1,390 kts)
Ceiling
59,652 ft
(18,182 m | 11 mi)
Range
1,300 mi
(2,092 km | 3,874 nm)
Rate-of-Climb
41,300 ft/min
(12,588 m/min)


♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the BAe QF-4 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
None as the air vehicle is expendable. Explosives are placed internally in the event that the drone becomes unresponsive and uncontrollable.


Supported Types




(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0


QF-4 - Base Series Designation; based on the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II airframe.


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Image of the BAe QF-4 (McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II)

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